I couldn’t be more happy about this news.

So many times the word “unique” is over-used, or we even see the abomination of “very unique”. Hey, either you’re unique or not; there are no degrees of uniqueness. Well, let me tell you, Swan Hellenic is unique.

They have the most exotic and unusual itineraries. Some of the ports I have visited on Swan are: Yalta and Odessa in the former U.S.S.R., Tripoli and Benghazi in Libya, and Olympia and the Mount Athos Peninsula in Greece.

You will find the most fascinating and wonderful passengers on board. Mostly British, mostly older, but all extremely interesting to talk to. On our first Swan cruise, my family and I surveyed the fellow passengers as we boarded and thought “Oh, what a boring bunch of old fogies! They’ll be slow and hold us back on the shore excursions.”. HA! We could barely keep up with them. We would be among the first off the ship and huff and puff to the top of some hill and there already were all the older Brits calmly collecting botanical specimens.

Swan Hellenic provides excellent lecturers to enrich your exploration. A typical cruise might include a university professor whose life work specializes in the areas you are visiting, a bishop to convey the historical religious significance of what you are seeing, a relevant museum director, and an expert archaeologist or linguist. They also accompany you on the excursions, which, incidentally, are always included in your cruise fare.

I think Swan made a mistake when they changed to a larger ship, the Minerva II. Back in 1983 I sailed on the Orpheus, then in 2002 the 350-passenger Minerva, which was larger, and in my judgment, as large as Swan should go to still retain the delightful atmosphere on board. Then we heard that they were moving to the even larger Minerva II. Soon afterward, Carnival bought the brand and closed Swan Hellenic down.

But now they are back, with the original Minerva! The new owner has promised to keep the true spirit of the line alive and I can’t wait to sail with Swan Hellenic again.

Visit their website for information on itineraries.

As cruising has become more affordable and accessible because of the growing number of ships in service, a niche has begun to intrigue me: The luxury cruise.

Regular readers will know that I am a fan of the small ship cruise like Wind Star, Star Clipper, Swan Hellenic and the dear departed Clipper Cruise Line. (Although last summer my sister and I had a great, fun quickie getaway on the Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas.)

Aside from the QE2 back in the day, I haven’t been on a 6-star luxury line like Crystal or Silversea, where the service is so personalized and there is never a bar bill to sign. Well that is soon to change — yippee! In a few months I will be on Silversea, lounging on my private veranda, sipping complimentary champagne and looking at the Norwegian fjords. A full report will come after that, but in the meantime, here is an article from a person who knows what I am looking forward to!

You know who they are.

It is a phenomenon that millions of British holidaymakers have witnessed at first hand – the German tradition of “reserving” sun loungers early in the morning with a strategically placed towel.

They sneak out at 5am and throw a towel and a book on the chairs in the choice locations, go back to their cabin, sleep, get up, eat breakfast and saunter out around 11 to claim their prize.

Which should you choose?

This is purely a matter of personal taste. Everybody is looking for their own ideal cruise ship vacation experience, and since I’ve been on ships of all sizes, here are some of the differences.

Advantages of Big Cruise Ships:

Entertainment: As more mega-ships are built it is amazing the variety of amenities they have added: rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, putting ranges. The evening entertainment includes big production Las Vegas style shows and multiple lounges and bars with different kinds of music. There is no excuse to be bored on a big ship.

Lots of people to meet: If you don’t like your dinner companions you can change your table and never have to have a subsequent awkward meeting with the people you didn’t like. There are so many people on board that it is easy to avoid the ones you don’t want to spend time with.

Children’s Programs: There are organized activities for children, tweens and teens, so you can relax and do your own thing while the kids are having a great time and making new friends.

Chance of better deals: With so many cabins to fill, you have a better chance of getting a serious discount on your fare, especially if you can go at the last minute.

Disadvantages of Big Cruise Ships:

Lines of people: To get into dinner, to get on and off the ship, to take a shore excursion. People. Everywhere. All the time.

Ports: There are just some places that a large ship cannot go, either because the harbor is small or the port just cannot accommodate thousands of passengers.

Advantages of Small Cruise Ships:

Fewer passengers: This means no lines, often open seating dining so you can dine when you want and with whom. Feel like having a table for two tonight and a table for eight tomorrow? Just let the maitre d’ know what you would prefer that night. There are opportunities to find a secluded spot on deck where you can almost feel as if you are on your own private yacht.

Variety of ports of call: The smaller ships can slip in to exotic ports, rivers and fjords and visit tiny, unusual places that simply cannot accommodate the big ships. And you won’t have thousands of fellow passengers clogging up the place!

More personalized attention: If you have a question, just hail a passing officer or crew member — they have more time to interact with passengers.

More relaxing: It just is.

Friendlier: If you meet someone interesting, you will see them again and not lose them in the crowd.

Disadvantages of Small Cruise Ships:

Little entertainment: If you want to be dazzled with big shows and extensive casinos, a small ship may not be for you. Often a three piece band in the lounge is the only dance music available. Passengers go to bed earlier, so there is not much to do at night.

Friendlier: I list this in both categories, because if there is someone you dislike it is difficult to avoid them!

For those of you who have never cruised and as a reminder to veteran cruisers why we love it so much!

The Romance of Ship Travel – Face it, there is something exciting about sailing in luxury with a group of exciting strangers. Being waited on hand and foot while you anticipate discovering new and exotic places.

Convenience – Unpack once, throw your suitcase under the bed and see the world!

Service – Everywhere you go there are smiling people to bring you a drink, a towel and to serve your meal exactly the way you want it. Like your water without ice? Your steak medium rare? Your waiter will remember. Your steward(ess) will clean your cabin and bring fresh towels twice a day, turn down your bed at night and take away any laundry to be cleaned.

Variety – See many different places and perhaps decide if there is any place that you would like to return to and explore in depth. Think of it as a delicious sampler!